manroland Inc.

You guessed it, I just saw Momma Mia and "Like a Super Drupa" keeps rolling around in my head. For those of you not familiar with the show Momma Mia, which is based on the music of ABBA, it's a must see. Super Trooper, one of ABBA's huge hits 24 years ago, is one of the show's toe-tapping standouts with the catchy "Like a Super Trooper." Being a printer to the core, I just couldn't help putting my own spin to the tune. A Super Drupa it should be and, by the time you read this, many will be on their way to Germany

RIPON, WI—The state may be better known for its more frigid temperatures, but Ripon Community Printers (RCP) has added a bit of heat to its corner of Wisconsin. The long-awaited installation of a four-color MAN Roland Rotoman N web press, reportedly the first stacked model in North America, has been completed at Ripon, formerly known for its coldset products. The new machine will allow the printer to churn out heatset printing on coated and calendered stocks. "With our reputation as one of the top coldset printers in the U.S., adding heatset printing is a natural for us and our customers since we already have the

by marie alonso Business Development Consultant The three most prominent features of JDF are its ability to carry a print job from concept through completion, its ability to bridge the communication gap between production and management information services, and its ability to do so under nearly any precondition. JDF, JOB Definition Format, is without question the most significant and viable integration initiative targeting print connectivity today. The road to realizing the benefit from JDF integration has been a long one. There have been many milestones along the way—and Drupa 2004 is the biggest one in the ultimate quest for print connectivity. JDF

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor There's always a danger of any promising new technology or big idea becoming just so much hype. As expectations are built up, so too can be a sense that it all sounds too good to be true. All the talk of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) and Job Definition Format (JDF) is approaching, or already reached, the point where some in the industry are tempted to tune out. Skeptics believe there are a number of reasons to doubt that implementation of CIM/JDF will bring the promised benefits or, at a minimum, they question the ROI. For that reason and others,

Paloian Rejoins Donnelley Group CHICAGO—John R. Paloian, who spent 11 years at RR Donnelley before moving on to Quebecor World, is rejoining the Windy City printer as group president, publishing and retail services. He is now responsible for the company's magazine, catalog, retail advertising insert and directory business. Paloian, who was co-COO at the time of his departure from Quebecor World, previously served as president of the magazine/catalog business. Banta Names Streeter Chairman MENASHA, WI—Banta Corp. announced that Stephanie Streeter, president and CEO, has also assumed the role of chairman of the board of directors. Streeter replaced Donald D. Belcher, who retired after holding the position for

connecticut MERIDEN—Sappi Fine Paper has named Miller Johnson Inc. a "Silver Award" winner in the general category for its printing of a 2004 Mercedes Benz dealer calendar. The 66-year-old printing firm has annual sales of $9.5 million. NEWINGTON—Direct mail provider Data Graphics has added its fifth Miyakoshi variable-size offset press to this location. The MVF22K is a six-color model and is configured to run all cassettes and OEM equipment now in use at Data Graphics. florida SARASOTA—The Sarasota Herald-Tribune has placed an order for two Goss Global Newsliner tower additions for its existing Metroliner presses. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune serves one of the largest and

by chris bauer Managing Editor Finally, the rumor mill can go silent concerning the status of industry giant Heidelberg Web Systems. Just days before closing this issue, Heidelberg and Goss International reached an agreement on major issues for the intended transfer of the Heidelberg Web Offset division to Goss International. An outline deal has been agreed upon in principle, but some issues remain to be resolved before definitive documents are expected to be executed over the coming weeks. Heidelberg will still display web presses at the upcoming Drupa trade show in Germany, reports Greg Norris, manager of marketing communications. Its newest

Spiral Binding Co. has named Joe Bondonna product manager for its line of document finishing products. He has worked for the company for 15 years in sales and training roles. Rick Parks is the new western region general manager of sheetfed operations for MAN Roland. He is responsible for sales, service and support in a territory that encompasses 11 western states. Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses has made two key personnel changes. Ken Kodama has been appointed vice president of sheetfed sales. The company also announced the promotion of Randy Siver to the newly created position of director of marketing and technical sales. Kodak Polychrome Graphics' (KPG) plate

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor The media road tour leading up to Drupa 04 recently made stops in Brussels, Belgium, and Athens, Greece. Judging by the vendor previews offered so far, people making the trek to Düsseldorf for the international trade fair should expect to see incremental advances, not revolutionary changes, in the products shown. The outlook for the global economy—and printing industry—leading up to this year's event is vastly different from the heady days that preceded Drupa 2000, says Albert Follens, general manager, Graphic Systems, at Agfa-Gevaert N.V. The keys to success are increasing manufacturing efficiency and streamlining how business is transacted between

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor The line of demarcation between a copier and printer was the first to fall. Now it's not uncommon for devices with similar capabilities to be called printers or presses, depending on who's doing the naming. And, markedly different machines—such as all-digital and digital offset systems—may be labeled as digital presses, or the ubiquitous production systems. The upshot is that it has become very difficult to neatly define what products should be included in an update on the state-of-the-art in digital printing. Therefore, what follows is a look at some, if not all, of the recent major developments in the